Breast Infection Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Breast infection is inflammation that occurs in the breast due to infection with germs. Usually breast infection, or medically called mastitis, is more experienced by women who are breastfeeding. At least 5 out of 100 breastfeeding mothers have had a breast infection.
When mastitis occurs, the breasts will swell and become reddish in color. Swelling will cause pain in the breast, especially when exposed to touch.
Symptom
Symptoms of a breast infection include fever (body temperature above 38 ° C), which may be accompanied by chills, and changes in the breast. Breasts look swollen, red, feel hard, and feel pain.
Apart from the things above, reddish streaks can also appear from the breasts toward the armpits. If a breast infection occurs in a breastfeeding woman, the baby sometimes becomes reluctant to breastfeed because the taste of the milk changes.
Reason
The causes of breast infections in women who are breastfeeding are different from women who are not breastfeeding. In women who are not breastfeeding, breast infection can occur due to an injury to the skin of the breast which is an entry point for bacteria so that it infects the breast tissue. Wounds in the breast can be found in women who have pierced their nipples or in women who have skin infections around the breast.
In nursing mothers, breast infection initially occurs due to breast milk (ASI) accumulating in the breast. Excessive accumulation of milk in the breast will invite germs (bacteria) to enter the breast and cause infection.
Milk accumulation can occur, among others, because:
- Incorrect way of breastfeeding so that only a little milk is released when the baby suckles the mother’s breast.
- Mothers rarely empty their breasts, for example, breastfeeding mothers work but do not regularly pump milk every 3-4 hours.
- Feeding on only one side of the breast.
Diagnosis
To ensure breast infection, doctors generally do a direct examination of the breast. However, in cases where the symptoms are not typical, sometimes routine blood tests (hemoglobin, leukocytes, and platelets) are needed.
If the breast infection occurs repeatedly or does not improve after being given medication, it is necessary to do a culture of pus or milk from the nipples.
Treatment
The main treatment for breast infections is to take antibiotics according to the doctor’s instructions. Generally, within a few days, this problem can be resolved.
Apart from taking antibiotics, those who experience breast infections should do the following:
- Drink sufficient amounts of water (at least 1.5–2 liters per day).
- To be more comfortable, you can take painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen.
- Avoid wearing tight clothing, including tight bras, until you have fully recovered.
- For nursing mothers, continue to breastfeed the baby and empty the breast regularly (you can pump breast milk or feed the baby directly).
Prevention
Some things that can be done to prevent breast infections are:
- Avoid any wounds on the breast. If there is a skin infection around the breast, treat it immediately. Avoid piercing your nipples with non-sterile equipment.
- In nursing mothers, breastfeed the baby at least once every 3-4 hours and make sure that the feeding method is correct.
- Avoid using bras and clothes that are too tight.